The Spring and Autumn Period (simplified Chinese: 春 秋 时 代; traditional Chinese: 春 秋 時 代; pinyin: Chūn qiū Shí dài; Jyutping: ceon1 cau1 si4 doi6) was a period in Chinese history, which roughly corresponds to the first half of the Eastern Zhou dynasty (from the second half of the 8th century BC to the first half of the 5th century BC). Its name comes from the Spring and Autumn Annals, a chronicle of the state of Lu between 722 BC and 479 BC, which tradition associates with Confucius. The period itself lasted between 770 BC and 476 BC.
During the Spring and Autumn period, China was ruled by a feudal system. The Zhou Dynasty kings held nominal power, but only directly ruled over a small Royal Demesne, revolving around their capital (modern-day Luoyang). They granted fiefdoms over the rest of China to several hundred hereditary nobles (Zhuhou 諸侯). These were descendants of members of the Zhou clan, close associates of the founders of the dynasty, or local potentates. The most important feudal princes (known later as the twelve princes, 十二諸侯) met during regular conferences, where important matters, such as military expeditions against foreign groups or offending nobles were decided. During these conferences, one prince was sometimes declared hegemon (伯, later 霸), and given leadership over the armies of all the feudal states.
As the era unfolded, larger more powerful states annexed or claimed suzerainty over smaller ones. By the 6th century BC, most small states had disappeared, and a few large and powerful principalities dominated China. Some southern states, such as Chu and Wu, claimed independence from the Zhou. Wars were undertaken to oppose some of these states (Wu and Yue). In the state of Jin, six powerful families fought for supremacy, and a series of civil wars resulted in the splitting of Jin into three smaller states by the beginning of the fifth century.
At the same time, the control Zhou kings exerted over feudal princes slowly but inexorably faded. Eventually the nominal Zhou kings lost all real influence, the feudal system crumbled, and the Warring States Period began.
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Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:04:21 GM
in contained in the Department of gaga lady Dragon Boat Festival to commemorate the sages Jie Zaitui face lady gagagaga lady said that the Sung Kao Cheng-five things Jiyuan, published an article from the . Spring and Autumn Period. ...
